Partition wall construction

ABSTRACT

A removable partition wall construction including an upper generally U-shaped channel member having a base portion and a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending a dependent leg portions and at least one vertically extending stud member having a generally I cross-sectional configuration, each stud comprising a pair of spaced side webs joined by a transverse cross web, the side webs of the upper end of each stud being located within and parallel to the leg portions of said channel member, each stud including guide means adjacent the upper end thereof and a member vertically slidable in said guide means, said member being connected to the base portion of said channel member whereby reaction loads are transferred from the stud to the base of said channel member. The present invention also provides a stud for use in said wall partitions.

United States Patent 1 MacLennan et al.

[ PARTITION WALL CONSTRUCTION [76] Inventors: Clayton MacLennan. 68l4 Lowell Crescent SL; Orville W. Haagenson, 42l2 Blow St, N.W,. both of Calgary. Alberta, Canada 22 Filed: Dec. 6, 1973 21 Appl.No.:422.l09

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 324,0l0. Jan. 161. X973.

[52] U.S. Cl. 52/241: 52/220; 52/349; 52/476 [5 l Int. Cl. E04b 2/78 [58] Field of Search 52/220, 238, 24l. 242, 52/243. 349. 3l2, 476

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l,l34.73fi 4/l9l5 Gleason 52/349 2.797.446 7/1957 Miller 52/220 X 3.203.15] 8/l965 Bransford, Jr, 52/241 X 3.204.382 9/l965 McGurn 52/24! X 3,293.8]3 l2/l966 Emmons et al. 52/238 3.327,438 6/l967 Cooper 52/24l X 3.358.411 l2/l967 Birum.]r 52/241 3.452.501 7/l969 Zimmer ct al.... 52/24l X 3.468.093 9/l969 Fuss et al 52/349 X June 10, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 243,905 3/1963 Australia 52/461 Primary Examiner-Alfred C. Perham Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Browne, Beveridge, DeGrandi & Kline [5 7] ABSTRACT A removable partition wall construction including an upper generally U-shaped channel member having a base portion and a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending a dependent leg portions and at least one vertically extending stud member having a generally l cross-sectional configuration. each stud comprising a pair of spaced side webs joined by a transverse cross web. the side webs of the upper end of each stud being located within and parallel to the leg portions of said channel member. each stud including guide means adjacent the upper end thereof and a member vertically slidable in said guide means. said member being connected to the base portion of said channel member whereby reaction loads are transferred from the stud to the base of said channel member. The present invention also provides a stud for use in said wall partitions,

5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJUH 10 1975 SHEET FIG. IO.

PARTITION WALL CONSTRUCTION This application is a division of US. Pat. No. 324.010 filed on Jan. l6. W73v The present invention relates to partition wall constructions. In particular the present invention relates to readily removable and reusable partition wall constructions in which the reaction loads on the vertical studs are directly transferred to the base of the upper U- shaped channel member. which may or may not be attached to a ceiling thereby reducing the strain on and the distortion of the dependent leg portions of the channel member.

Partition wall systems are known in which the panels are supported inter alia by an upper U-shaped channel member normally attached to a ceiling and spaced vertical studs extending into the channel member between the leg portions thereof. However, it is found that there is a tendency for the leg portions to distort at the loads that they are called upon to bear in such constructions and it has heretofore been considered necessary to provide sufficient strength in the leg portions of the channel member to resist such load and generally the panel member has been fabricated from relatively heavy gauge material.

The present invention provides a movable partition wall construction in which the load carried by the leg portions of the upper U-shaped channel member is substantially reduced and in which the reaction loads are transferred substantially directly from the studs to the base of the channel member.

It has now been found that by providing a guide means. e.g. a race-way. in the upper end of the stud and by providing a member vertically slidable in said guide means which member is connected to the base of the channel shaped member. the reaction loads may be transferred substantially directly to the base portion of the channel shaped member thus allowing the leg portions and generally the channel shaped member to be of lighter construction and fabricated from lighter gauge material.

According to the present invention. therefore. there is provided a removable partition wall construction including an upper generally L -shaped channel member having a base portion and a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending dependent leg portions and at least one vertically extending stud member of generally l-shaped cross sectional configuration. each stud com prising a pair of spaced side webs joined by a transverse crossweb. the side webs at the upper end of each stud being located within and parallel to the leg portions of said channel member. each stud including guide means adjacent the upper end thereof and a member vertically slidable in said guide means. said member being connected to the base portion ofsaid channel shaped member whereby reaction loads are transferred from the stud directly to the base portion of the channel memher.

The present invention also provides for a stud for use in said removable partition walls construction of gener ally l cross-sectional configuration and comprising a pair of spaced side webs joined by a transverse cross web and including guide means adapted to allow mem ber attached to the base portion of an upper U-shapcd channel member to be vertically slidable therein.

According to one embodiment of the present invention the guide means comprises flange means extending from the side web portions parallel to the transverse web portion of the stud. said flange means defining a raceway and said slidable member includes a plate vertically slidable in said raceway. The provision of the guide means and the slidable member allows all loads imposed by the vertical studs regardless of their elevation within the channel member to be directly transferred to the base portion of the channel member by way of the slidable member and this permits the use of light gauge channel legs and a greater degree of adjustment in the both panels and the studs may be posi tioned close to the end of the leg portions of the channel member without producing distortion. Further. this relatively light weight channel member is easier to erect.

According to a particular embodiment of the present invention the slidable member is an L-shaped plate member. the leg portion of which is slidable in the race way and the foot portion of which is attached to the base portion of the channel member. This particular embodiment is particularly suitable for partition wall systems where the channel shaped member is attached to a ceiling as the foot portion must be fixedly attached to the base of the channel shaped member such as by rivets or screws.

According to an alternative particular embodiment of the present invention. the slidable member is a plate slidable in said raceway. said plate including notches by which the plate is mounted for slidable movement parallel to the base portion on continuous flanges extending from the dependent leg portions parallel to said base portion in said channel shaped member. This particular embodiment is particularly suitable for partition wall systems of the cornice type in that it is not installed through the base of the channel shaped member.

Suitably the channel shaped member which is present to provide trim cover for uneven elevations of panel and vertical framing assemblies, is formed from a plurality of sections adjacent sections being joined by splice members which are of generally U-shaped configuration the free free ends of the leg portions of which locate in grooves formed by the inward upturn of the end portions of the leg portions of the sectional channel members. These upturned end portions in the channel members besides providing retaining means for the splice member make contact with the wall panel. To maintain a straight channel line on the partition wall the upturned portion is crimped close at all vertical stud locations.

Alternatively, the splice member may comprise plate member slidable within a channel formed by continuous flanges on the leg portions of the channel member which extend parallel to the base portion and are spaced therefrom substantially by the thickness of the plate. the plate including means for releasably fixedly locating the plate within the channel member. This combination is primarily designed for cornice height {free standing type) partition systems in that splicing of the channel member is effected without exposed fasteners.

The stud used in the partition wall system of the present invention has a generally l-shaped cross-sectional configuration and according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the side webs ofone side of the transverse web of the stud are of equal length and longer than the side webs of equal length on the other side whereby utilities such as electrical wires may be incorporated into the wall through the stud. The use of such a stud allows for the housing of the electrical outlets complete with conduits which may be rigid or flexible. The electrical services may be installed completely within the vertical stud and relocation of the service assembly within the system is possible without altering the basic partition layout. Thus while electrical wiring changes may be required above the ceiling line, these changes would in no way effect or damage the basic movable partition system. Further. the provision of longer side web portions on one side of the transverse web also allows for optional positioning of the panel in the partition wall construction which provides a method of adjusting the panel width. Again, the provision of the longer side web portions provides a method of installing terminal panels by thus sliding the panel all the way into the stud having the long side web portions to clear the side webs of the opposing stud then sliding the panel into the guide web portions of the opposing stud. To enhance the appearance of the partition wall system by providing uniform width of trim for all vertical components. the inside face of the side web on both sides of the transverse web adjacent the edge thereof is provided with a continuous bead and an edge cap extends around the edges of the side web and is located in position on the bead. The edge cap portion is suitably formed of plastic such as rigid polyvinyl chloride and provides a colour fast edge facing with excellent scratch resistant qualities. Further, this edging provides a continuous keeper for the installation of various exposed facing inserts, such as plastic laminates, metal or vinyl. to the central portion of the vertical stud and this eliminates physical alignment or fitting of the facing material as the raw or cut edges are inserted part way under the long exposed leg of the plastic edge cap. For example. in order to maintain a continuous base trim line, metal inserts made from pre-finished base channel material may be installed in this manner at all vertical stud locations and the edge cap thus provides the simplified method of providing a variety of architectural finishes.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention the partition wall construction of the present invention includes a lower generally U-shaped channel member having a base portion and pair of transversely spaced upstanding longitudinally extending leg portions. the ends of the lower channel member extending into each stud between the side webs thereof. Thus the bottom edge of the wall panel is capped by a light gauge metal channel and exposed faces are prefinished with a scratch resistant coating prior to installation. This channel is provided with at least one aperture. e.g. cutout and usually two per panel. to allow floor anchors to make direct contact with the panel. Tolerance is al lowed between the cutout and the anchor to allow independent movement of the channel. Shims may be added to the top flange of the floor anchors to plumb the panels and in some cases increases the height of the panels. This adds considerable adjustment potential to accommodate customary dimensions in floor to ceiling dimensions. Floor finish to anchors. shims. panels or any combinations thereof may be bonded together by way of two sided pressure sensitive tape. By way of a levelling tool shimrning of the anchors as required is predetermined so as to permit installation of the anchor assembly into the apertures prior to the channel being installed onto the panel. This anchor system avoids the base channel member of transmitting tunnel loads to the floor Without this provision channel leg distortion would occur in instances where panel shims become positioned at points where the light gauge channel member is required to bridge a low spot on the floor contour. In this case panel shims, carrying the weight of the panel, would be point loading channel, producing bending and leg distortion. To complete the partition wall construction. continuous foam type light and sound seal tape may be applied to the underside of the base channel member prior to installation. As these base channel members are not in direct with the floor finish, premature rusting by way of floor cleaning with water does not occur. The base channel members are provided prefinished and are cut in lengths to match the standard width of the wall panels being installed. Compared to the known technique of separately measuring and fitting base trim to provide both sides of the partition wall system, the base channel member according to the present invention provides base trim to both sides of the wall automatically as the wall panels are being erected. In addition, this eliminates all splicing and corner fitting as all base channel ends are lo cated behind the side webs of the vertical studs.

The present invention also provides for the installation of glass panels in the partition wall construction of the present invention by providing framing members having longitudinal grooves therein to accept glass stops which hold the glass panel in position, said framing members including side frame members adapted to be releasably held by the side webs of adjacent vertical studs. an upper frame member adapted to be releasably held by the leg portions of the upper U-shaped channel member and a lower frame member adapted to be releasably held by the leg portions of a channel member attached to an upper edge of a panel member. Suitably the frame members are adapted to form a snap lock with the side webs of said studs and the leg portions of said channel members.

The present invention will be further illustrated by way of the accompanying drawings in which: like references refer to the same parts and in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view. partly broken away of a portion of a partition wall construction of a ceiling height type according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view partially broken away of a portion of a partition wall construction of a cornice height type according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective detail showing the splicing of ceiling channel members in the partition wall construction of FIG. 1'.

FIG. 4 is a detail showing an alternative connector in the partition wall construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail of a vertical section through a glass framing system which may be present in the partition wall construction of FIGS. 1 and 2',

FIG. 6 is a cross section of the glass framing system of FIG. 5 in position in a partition wall system according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a partition wall construction constructed as in FIG. I or FIG. 2 or a combination thereof;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional detail of the partition wall construction according to FIG. I or 2.

FIG. 9 is a detail cross-section through the service outlet of FIG. 1 and.

FIG. is a detail vertical section through the service outlet of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 10 of the accompanying drawings, the partition wall construction comprises a U-shaped channel member 1, a vertical stud 2 and a U- shaped base channel member 3. The stud 2 is formed from a pair of side webs 4 and transverse web 5 such that the side webs 4 on one side of the transverse web 5 are substantially longer than on the other side thereof. The upper end of the stud 2 is located within leg portion 6 of the channel member 1 with the side webs 4 parallel to the leg portions 6. The stud 2 further includes flanges 7 providing a raceway at the top thereof in which there is slidable the leg portion 8 of an L-shaped connector, the foot portion 9 of which is fixedly attached, such as by screws or rivets (not shown). to the base 10 of the channel member 1. The provision of the slidable connector allows loads applied to the stud 2 inter alia by the wall panel to be directly passsed to the base 10 of the channel member 1 and thus the channel member I may be formed of light gauge metal. The base 10 of the channel member 1 is fixedly attached such as by screws (not shown) to a metal ceiling tile tee 11 which is suspended from the ceiling (not shown) by wire 12 and includes ceiling tiles 13. The channel member 1 is manufactured of light gauge metal and it may be supplied in various lengths complete with factory mitered corner sections. These corner sections are made with a short length of top channel both ways so as to provide a square edge for simplified butt joining to other lengths of the top channel. The channel member 1 is supplied preflnished, the basic function of the channel member 1 being to provide ceiling trim for the wall panel and the studs. this trim covering the uneven line of the wall panels and the studs due to normal variants in the floor to ceiling dimension.

The side webs 4 of the stud 2 which is suitably formed of extruded aluminum. has edge caps 14 extending around the edges thereof to provide a colour fast attractive scratch-resistant edge finish to the stud 2. Each edge cap l4 is retained in position on a bead 15 on the inside surface of the side web 14 and the outer longer leg of the edge cap 14 lying flat on the outside face of the side webs 4. The edge caps 14 are suitably formed of rigid polyvinylchloride the free long legs of the cap 14 retain inserts 18 against the central portion of the outside surface of the side webs 4 for decorative purposes, i.e. to apply different finishes thereto.

The stud 2 is located at its lower end in abutment with the floor and the side webs 4 have disposed therebetween the upstanding leg portions 19 of the base channel member 3. Base channel member 3 may be manufactured of light gauge metal and supplied prefinished and in lengths equal to the width of the wall panels being used. It has the function to provide an attractive durable trim and contain a panel floor anchor and leveling shim system In order to provide continuity of line and protection for the insert 18, an insert 42 of prefinished base channel member material is present between the long legs of the edge cap 15.

Wall panels 20 are disposed between the side webs 4 of the stud 2 the dependent leg portions 6 of the channel member 1 and the upstanding leg portions 19 of the base channel member 3 and rest upon floor anchors 2] which extend through cut-outs 22 (usually two per panel) in the base 23 of the base channel members 3. the floor anchors 21 contacting the floor. The cut-outs 22 are dimensioned to provide clearance so that movement of the base channel member 3 is not restricted by the floor anchor 21. The height of each panel 20 may be adjusted and each panel 20 may be plumbed by the presence of shims 24 located on the top flange of the floor anchors 2]. Attachment of the floor anchors 2] to the panels 20 and/or the shims 24 may be effected by two-sided pressure adhesive tape (not shown). The base 23 of the base channel member 3 is releasably attached to the floor by light and sound seal tape 25.

The lower ends of the leg portions 6 of the channel member l are inwardly and upwardly turned to provide a groove 26 which accommodates the lower ends of the legs 27 ofa splice member 28 (see FIG. 3) which serves to join different sections of the channel member l. The upturned lower ends of the leg portions 6 also makes contact with each panel 20 and in order to produce a straight trim line the upturned lower ends are crimped close at 29 adjacent each stud 2 and at all other vertical framing locations. The extended length of the side webs 4 on one side of the transverse web 5 of the stud 2 as is particularly shown in FIG. 8 allows electrical services to be completely installed within the stud 2 between the end of the panel 20 and the transverse web 5 and fur ther allows a wide range of positions of the panel 20 and tolerance allowance for the width of the panel 20. Again it also provides for ready installation of the terminal panel 20 in the erection of a partition wall construction between a pair of walls. Thus referring to FIG. 1, a power or telephone service electrical conduit 30 passes downwardly through the stud 2 between the panel 20 and the transverse web 5 through an adapter ring 31 to an outlet box 32 retained in position by a bracket 33 attached to the side web 4 which bracket 33 also serves to reinforce the stud 2 where it is cut out to accommodate the box 32. The box 32 includes a receptacle 34 for a plug switch or telephone service and is covered by a cover plate 35.

Referring to FIG. 4. the connector may take the form of a plate 36 having notches 37 therein locatable on continuous flanges 38 adjacent the base 10 of the channel member 1, the plates 36 being slidably mounted in the raceway formed between the flanges 7 and the transverse web 5 of the stud 2.

Referring to FIG. 2. which shows an end portion of a partition wall construction of the free standing (cornice) type which requires good lateral stability, the sections of the channel member 1 are joined by a splice 39 which locates in the raceway formed by continuous flanges 40 extending from the leg portions 6 of the channel member I. The splice 39 is located in position by screws (not shown) which are placed through a hole in the flange 40 into the screw port 41 of the splice 39. This is accomplished by cutting out a small portion of the flange 38 to allow a hole to be drilled and a small screw to be inserted through the flange 40 into the screw port 41. In this manner splicing of the channel member 1 is accomplished without producing exposed fasteners and for increased lateral stability the splice 39 may be installed continuously. With such a splice 39 the upturned end portions of the leg portions 6 become superfluous. At the end of the partition wall construc tion a stud 43 has a pair of side webs 44 joined by a itansye. web 45 and normally abuts the end wall 60 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) of the building and is fixedly releasably attached thereto. The edges of the side webs 44 include edge caps 14 located on beads 15 as in H6. 8.

Referring to FIGS. and 6, the partition wall construction may contain glass panels. the glass panel is suitably installed by means of horizontal framing mem bers 50 which are of plastic or metal and which snap lock into grooves 26 in the leg portions 6 of the channel member I attached to the ceiling 61 as well the beads in the horizontal members 51 attached to the top of the panel 20. The members used to make the [mining members 5] are identical in shape to the studs 43, two such shapes 43 being joined together by rivet S2 to form the member 51. The glass panel 53 is held in place in said members 50 by offset glass stops 54 retained in recesses 55 in the members 50. A block member 56 is located beneath the lower framing member 50 to transfer the load of the glass panel to the member 51. The glass panel 53 is also held in position by vertical framing members 57 which are identical to the glass framing members 50 and which snap lock into the studs 43 and 2 respectively by means of the beads 15. The glass panel 53 is held in a similar manner by offset glass stops 58 in recesses 59.

FIG. 7 shows the various joints in forming a typical partition wall construction according to the present invention between a pair of walls 60. Thus by means of the partition wall construction of the present invention one can readily form three and four way junctions 64 and 62 respectively and stub end 63 and cover post 64.

In constructing a partition wall between a floor and ceiling according to the present invention the Ushaped channel member 1 is first installed by fastening the base 10 thereof to the metal tee 11 by way of screws or rivets (not shown). The splices 27 or 39 are arranged to be located at places other than where the vertical studs 2 are iocated. Vertical framing assemblies that will be accepting door frames are then positioned and attached to the floor by way of angle ieon similar in shape to the L'shaped connector in PK]. 1 (not shown) screwed into floor plugs such as the shot pin type. The head at tachment is also by way of an angle iron L-shaped eonnector 8 and 9 as shown in HO. I screwed or rivetted to the base 10 of the channel 1.

The end studs 43 are then fixedly attached to the existing walls 60 such as by metal screws or other suitable anchors. The sequence of installation of the panels is then planned so as to accommodate terminal panels 20. The lines are then laid out and marked for the location of the base channel member 3 in relation to the in stalled ceiling channel members I. All panels 20 are then installed by the following procedure:

a. the floor level is checked.

b. shims 24 are added to the floor anchors 21 as required to level the base of each panel 20,

c. the floor anchors 21 are installed into the cut-outs 22 of the base channel member 3 and the base channel member 3 is installed onto the bottom of the panel 20.

d. a panel 20 is fed into the channel member 1 so as to clear the floor and the panel 20 is then inserted into either the side webs 4 of the stud 2 or the short side webs 44 of the stud 43.

The panel is then lowered to the predetermined floor location. After installation of the first panel 20 into the partition wall construction, a stud 2 is then installed to the edge of the panel 20 and attached to the ceiling channel member 1 by way of the L-shaped connector or the connector plate 36 as required and the upturned end portion of the leg portion 6 of the channel 1 is crimped at the location of the studs 2 and 43. Further. if the stud 2 is intended to contain the electrical conduit 30 a hole is required in the base 10 of the ceiling channel member I and the tile 13. Additional panels 20 are erected together with stud 2 in a similar manner until the installation of the terminal panel, the terminal pane] being inserted as shown in the left-hand portion of FIG. 7. Thus the terminal panel 20 is installed by sliding the panel 20 far enough into the long side web 4 webs the stud 2 so as to clear the side webs of the stud 43 and the panel 20 is then moved in the opposite direction in between the side webs 4 of the channel 43. Subsequently, the door units are hung and finished.

Thus, the present invention provides a method of framing interior wall panels so as to produce a movable and reusable partition construction. In particular, the present invention provides a construction which is relatively faster to assemble and disassemble by unskilled workmen without the aid of special tools, which requires relatively few components and few fasteners and is economical in that it lends itself to the use of comparatively light gauge ceiling and base channel components. The construction of the present invention will accept hollow core, solid core, homogeneous or laminated type wall panels made up of unlimited combinations of materials and finishes and produces continuity of appearance by using similar trim sections for all vertical framing assemblies. The construction of the prescnt invention also provides for simplified adaptation to produce a wide range of vertical trim finishes to match or compliment wall panel facings. Further, the construction of the present invention permits installation and relocation of the vertical post electrical assemblies without disrupting basic wall panel layout.

The stud of the present invention is dimensioned to accommodate standard electrical outlets and with the edge trim in place is desirably equal in width to that of standard electrical cover plates. in a particular embodimerit of the present invention, the ratio of length of longer side webs to shorter side webs is at least 2.5 and preferably 8 to 3. The breadth of the stud is preferably 2.75 inches with an outside width of 2.42 inches and an internal width of 2.17 inches. The present invention thus also provides a stud for use in a partition wall construction said stud being of generally l-shaped crosssectional configuration and comprising a pair of spaced side webs joined by a transverse cross web said side webs on each side of the transverse web being equal in length and of sufficient length to releasably retain an edge of a panel, the said webs on one side of the transverse web being longer than those on the other side of said transverse web, said longer webs being dimensioned to provide for accommodation therein and passage therethrough of service utilities between the transverse web and the edge of a panel accommodated between said side webs of longer length.

The present invention further provides a removable partition wall construction including an upper, generally U-shaped channel member having a base portion and a pair of transversely spaced longitudinally extending dependent leg portions and at least one vertically extending stud member having a generally I crosssectional configuration each stud comprising a pair of spaced side webs joined by transverse cross webs. the side webs at the upper end of each stud being located within and parallel to the leg portions of said channel member. each stud being adapted to be connected on the upper end thereof to the channel member. the side webs on one side of the transverse web being of equal length and longer than the side webs of equal length on the other side of said transverse web. at least one of said studs including service utilities which are accommod-ated within and pass along said stud between the transverse web and the edge ofa panel located between said side webs of longer length.

Suitably. the side webs and transverse webs are 0.062 inches gauge with the flanges extending 0.25 inches in' wardly therefrom forming a raceway 0.135 inches wide. The portion of the side webs forming the raceway is suitably 0.125 inches in thickness as is the thickness of the portion of the side webs forming the beads which beads are suitably 0.25 inches in width and have a 30 be\elled edge thereon.

We claim,

1. A removable partition wall construction adapted to be positioned between a floor and a ceiling. comprising:

a. an upper generally U-shaped channel member having a base portion attached to a ceiling and a pair oftransversely spaced. longitudinally extending dependent leg portions;

b. a plurality of vertically extending stud members each having a generally I cross-sectional configuration. each stud comprising a pair of spaced side webs joined by a transverse cross web;

eV the side webs at the upper end of each stud being located within and parallel to the leg portions of said channel member;

d. each stud including guide means adjacent the upper end thereof:

e. a member \ertically slidable in said guide means and fixedly secured to the base portion of said upper channel member;

f. said stud member being located with its lower end in abutment with the floor;

g. a plurality of lower. generally U-shaped channel members, each of said Ushaped channel members having a base portion and a pair of transversely spaced upstanding leg portions, the ends of the lower channel member extending between two adjacent studs between said side webs; and

h. at least one aperture in said base portion of each of the lower U-shaped channel members with a floor anchor member extending through such aperture for supporting the weight of panel web members of said wall.

2. A construction as claimed in claim I in which the base portion of each lower channel member and the base portion of each anchor member is provided with a releasable fixing means to the floor.

3. A construction as claimed in claim 1 including a glass panel. retained therein by side. top and bottom framing members. each framing member having longi' tudinal grooves therein accommodating stops for holding said panel. each of said side frame members being releasably held by the side web of an adjacent stud. said top frame member being releasably held by the leg portions of the upper channel member and said bottom frame member being held by the leg portion of a channel member attached to the upper edge of a wall panel.

4. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the upper channel member is formed from a plurality of sections, adjacent sections being joined by a splice member of generally U-shapcd configuration comprising a base portion and depending leg portions, the ends of said leg portions of said splice member being located in continuous channel formed by upturning the end portion of each of the leg portions ofthe channel memher.

5. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the stud has a continuous head on the inside face of each of the side webs on either side of the transverse web. each head being located adjacent the edge thereof and an edge cap extending around each edge of the side web being located in position on said head; a vertically extending facing strip located centrally of the outside surface of each of the side webs, said strip being located in position under the free edges of the edge caps. 

1. A removable partition wall construction adapted to be positioned between a floor and a ceiling, comprising: a. an upper generally U-shaped channel member having a base portion attached to a ceiling and a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally extending dependent leg portions; b. a plurality of vertically extending stud members each having a generally I cross-sectional configuration, each stud comprising a pair of spaced side webs joined by a transverse cross web; c. the side webs at the upper end of each stud being located within and parallel to the leg portions of said channel member; d. each stud including guide means adjacent the upper end thereof; e. a member vertically slidable in said guide means and fixedly secured to the base portion of said upper channel member; f. said stud member being located with its lower end in abutment with the floor; g. a plurality of lower, generally U-shaped channel members, each of said U-shaped channel members having a base portion and a pair of transversely spaced upstanding leg portions, the ends of the lower channel member extending between two adjacent studs between said side webs; and h. at least one aperture in said base portion of each of the lower U-shaped channel members with a floor anchor member exTending through such aperture for supporting the weight of panel web members of said wall.
 2. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the base portion of each lower channel member and the base portion of each anchor member is provided with a releasable fixing means to the floor.
 3. A construction as claimed in claim 1 including a glass panel, retained therein by side, top and bottom framing members, each framing member having longitudinal grooves therein accommodating stops for holding said panel, each of said side frame members being releasably held by the side web of an adjacent stud, said top frame member being releasably held by the leg portions of the upper channel member and said bottom frame member being held by the leg portion of a channel member attached to the upper edge of a wall panel.
 4. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the upper channel member is formed from a plurality of sections, adjacent sections being joined by a splice member of generally U-shaped configuration comprising a base portion and depending leg portions, the ends of said leg portions of said splice member being located in continuous channel formed by upturning the end portion of each of the leg portions of the channel member.
 5. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the stud has a continuous bead on the inside face of each of the side webs on either side of the transverse web, each bead being located adjacent the edge thereof and an edge cap extending around each edge of the side web being located in position on said bead; a vertically extending facing strip located centrally of the outside surface of each of the side webs, said strip being located in position under the free edges of the edge caps. 